RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — More than a dozen cats from the Tidewater region were transferred to the Richmond SPCA on Wednesday ahead of the potential impact of Hurricane Florence.

The Humane Society of the United States is working with shelters throughout the Tidewater area to coordinate transports of homeless animals out of that region and into areas less likely to be seriously impacted by Florence. 

The Richmond SPCA will take into its humane center 16 cats from Chesapeake Animal Services.

“By taking into its care cats from Chesapeake Animal Services, the Richmond SPCA is helping the government shelter create space for pets who may become displaced during the impending storm,” Richmond SPCA spokesperson, Tabitha Treloar, said in a release. 

This is the second time in 12 months the Richmond SPCA has provided assistance to shelters during natural disasters. In September 2017, the Richmond SPCA worked with Best Friends Animal Society to evacuate 30 cats from states affected by Hurricanes Irma and Irene.